Me? Count Stranis?
It was an ordinary day, like any other.
And an ordinary day meant... Amora was drinking.
...Ahh. Wonderful.
Truly, the only vice Lavistar has ever allowed—
You said you'd cut back! You promised!
Oh my, don't say it like that. You'll hurt my feelings.
I've cut back quite a lot, I'll have you know. Because I want to be around for you longer, Captain.
Kgh, stop it...!
...Ever since that day, Amora seemed to have developed a taste for teasing me.
Hmm, still... I feel strangely sluggish today.
Maybe the lovely weather is making me lazy. Fufu.
Amora did seem a little more relaxed than usual.
Her training should be fine, and with weather this nice, a walk might be a good change of pace.
Want to go for a walk?
Hmm, shall we?
I see no reason to turn down a date with you, Captain.
Amora smiled teasingly and started walking ahead.
We'd been walking for a few minutes.
Wandering aimlessly, we soon found ourselves in a secluded alley.
Captain, don't you feel a little sluggish today too?
Maybe that's because you've been drinking?
I told you, this is me cutting back.
I had nothing to say to that.
All right. Let's stop and rest for a bit.
Fufu, good idea. You really are thoughtful, Captain.
You knew the sun was a woman's enemy, so you were looking out for me, weren't you?
...I hadn't thought that far ahead.
But sure, let's go with that.
We stopped in the shade, and Amora lazily pulled out her flask.
...Huh?
That was when it happened.
*Shing!!*
*Thud!*
...!
A sharp blade grazed my cheek.
...Who are you?
Kgh...! How...?! You were completely off guard...!!
Answer me.
Amora subdued the assailant in an instant.
Her swift movements were a far cry from her relaxed demeanor moments earlier.
If she hadn't been here with me... The thought sent a chill down my spine.
Are you all right?
You're bleeding... Let me see. I need to make sure the wound isn't deep.
She stepped closer and gently touched my cheek.
...Her fingers stung slightly as they brushed the wound.
...Thank goodness. It's only a graze.
Let's get that treated when we return to Candle Square. Even a small wound shouldn't be ignored.
But before that...
The assailant shrank back beneath Amora's murderous glare.
Now, won't you be a good boy and tell me? What made you target the Captain?
W-well...
I'd rather not resort to anything unpleasant.
...Hah. What an obvious question!
Someone in your position should be used to threats like this.
Hmm? My position?
You mean... you attacked us because you're targeting House Stranis?
Yeah! That man beside you. I thought if I could nab Count Stranis, then...!
...Huh?
"Count Stranis"?
Are you talking about me?!
...
Don't play dumb!!
...Wait a moment. You said you're after my House, didn't you?! Then you should know I don't have a husband!
Maybe not on paper! Think logically. How can you have a child without a husband?!
Listen! I've been following and observing the two of you for the past several days now.
And from what I've seen...! The two of you seem exceptionally close!
You may dress it up as a relationship built around training...!
But I saw you slipping away together!
Spending time at the playground, and even drinking together...!!
When you put it that way, it does sound suspicious...
Yeah!
So how could that man NOT be your husband?!
At the very least, he must be a future candidate!
Wait, wait!!
What in the world have you been talking about this whole time?!
It's bad enough that you targeted the Captain...!
And now you're accusing me of being married without a shred of proof...!
What if the Captain gets the wrong idea? Are you going to take responsibility?!
I'll say it again. I'm unmarried! I've never even dated anyone, let alone gotten married!!
...What's with that reaction?
Wait, you're actually serious?!
Of course!
Does this face look like that of a married woman to you?!
...
...
The assailant studied Amora's face carefully.
...Hmm. True. Now that you mention it...
You're young and beautiful.
It's hard to believe you're even a mother.
*Sigh...* Exactly. At last, you're seeing things properly.
Would you mind sharing your secret...?
Hmm. My secret? I'm afraid there isn't one. I was simply born beautiful.
Just as I thought all that remained was handing him over to the Town Guard...
I noticed the slightest movement near the assailant's wrist.
...No.
Amora, watch out!
Huh?
I shoved Amora aside with all my strength.
...Ngh!
Quit getting in my way...!!
A dagger shot out from a concealed pouch near his wrist.
He sounded so incompetent that I'd let my guard down. Damn it! That must've been his plan all along.
Oh no... I'd let my guard down...!
If he came this prepared... There was a good chance he was a professional assassin.
Amora quickly regained her fighting stance, and I drew my sword beside her.
...Don't worry. I can handle this alone. I've dealt with things like this before.
More importantly, you were only dragged into this, Captain. This is my problem to deal with...
I knew Amora was strong. But...
I can't let you shoulder the danger alone.
...!
The answer must've caught Amora off guard, because she froze for a moment.
...And the assailant didn't let that opening go to waste.
Watch out!
...Oh my!
There was no more time to talk.
As if we'd planned it, we moved in sync and subdued the assailant.
Once we fought him, it was clear he was an experienced assassin.
Unlike Amora and me, who were only trying to stop him, he came at us intent on finishing us off.
Because of that, the fight didn't exactly go in our favor...
Fortunately, we worked well together and managed to hand the assailant over to the Town Guard.
...I'm sorry about today.
I ended up dragging you into this, Captain.
If I hadn't let my guard down, I could have subdued him before you were in danger...
It's fine. You saved me too, Amora.
...I saved you?
Ah... You mean when I noticed the assassin?
Right. I owe you for that. So let's call it even.
Fufu. You don't owe me anything. Never have.
You're far too kind for your own good, Captain.
...Think about it again.
This whole thing happened because of me in the first place.
No... To be precise, I suppose it's because of my position.
There have always been people after House Stranis, for one reason or another.
And as its head, it has always been my duty to deal with those threats.
...I'm rambling.
The point is quite simple.
I was merely fulfilling my minimum responsibility.
...Minimum responsibility.
To remain composed even with drink in hand.
To refrain from reaching for even the desires right before me.
To stand before others and protect them...
...That is what my position demands of me.
Amora's gaze was resolute.
And yet, I sensed a faint trace of loneliness in it too.
...I didn't think Amora was wrong.
Amora had her own position to uphold.
That burden was so heavy, I wondered if there was anything I could even do to help.
...Even so, there was one thing she was overlooking.
That's not all you are.
...Not all I am...
You're also my Journey member, Amora.
...
...Hmm.
Captain, aren't you drawing the line a little too firmly?
Oh, how disappointing. To think I'm just someone you see for work...
...Huh?
N-no, that's not what I meant...!
Unless what you meant was simply, "I'm the Captain, and you're my Journey member"...
...Fufu. I'm just teasing you.
Of course I know what you meant.
After all, you're my precious Journey Captain too.
Still... Stopping there would be rather dull, wouldn't it?
Why not become Count Stranis for real?
All you'd have to do is bring yourself.
...?!
Now then, here's a question... Was I joking just now?
I was too flustered to say anything.
Pfft, fufufu...! Oh dear. I really have gotten hooked on teasing you, Captain.
Amora lightly tapped my shoulder as she laughed under her breath.
...Ahh, this is so much fun. I really do enjoy being with you.
...
Say, Captain.
...Hmm?
Amora.
Amora Stranis.
That's my name. Please remember it.
It was a name I'd already learned when we first introduced ourselves.
And yet, somehow, it carried a different weight now.
...Haha.
Amora said nothing more. She only smiled.